HOME LEARNING

At ISPP, we do not assign learning for elementary students to complete at home. We believe children are actively engaged in rich, purposeful learning experiences for seven hours a day to support their success in school. After 2:30pm, we believe family time and playtime is important, and children should have some choice in their learning beyond their school day. 

We invite children to participate in reading and self-directed learning, and to explore their curiosities. Play is vital for children’s wellbeing, and a sustained commitment is the most effective strategy to making our students better readers.

When home learning benefits an individual student, the teacher, parent and child may make a plan to address specific learning needs or to reinforce a concept or skill in a way that does provide the student with a choice. We will always ensure that our students learning needs are being met.

We do understand that some families use tutors outside of the school day, mostly for mother tongue and additional language learning, and that many families like to take advantage of the after-school activities available at ISPP, too.

Home learning

• Empowers students to make choices in their learning

• Includes inquiry, exploration and joy in learning

• Promotes the desire to keep learning

• Acknowledges the importance of developing a variety of talents and interests outside the school

• Fosters intrinsic motivation and self-directed learning

What does home learning look like?

• Engagement in active and/or creative, unstructured play

• Reading for pleasure for at least 30 minutes

• Being read to by parents every day in their mother tongue

• Following passions and having a choice in what to learn after 2:30pm

What research supports home learning?

• Reading has the single greatest impact on student achievement. It expands vocabulary and broadens knowledge across all curricular disciplines.

• Unstructured, imaginative, child-centered play and physical activity enhance student performance and lead to better behavioural choices.

• The brain develops in childhood through active play and exercise.

• Students often sacrifice time for authentic reading in order to complete their homework.

• There is no conclusive evidence that homework for students before middle/secondary school increases or improves academic achievement. In fact, several countries have banned homework at the elementary level.

How does home learning connect to school?

Learning initiated in the classroom will have natural extensions to home learning. For example, your child may be invited to bring items from home to contribute to school projects. In our classrooms, we will celebrate school-home learning connections and invite students to share their passions and learning with their peers.